"Simon simply didn't realise how popular Dannii had become with viewers
since
last year's series," the insider said.

"Even when she became pregnant, he wanted to find a way to ease her into
a
lesser role on the show.

"But Dannii will only come back if she's on the judging panel, and Simon
knew
it would be impossible to remove a pregnant woman. There would have been
a
huge backlash." In February the BBC sparked a row when it dropped
pregnant
Denise Van Outen from the judging panel of its talent show Over The
Rainbow.

CUT-PRICE DEAL: Rival Dannii

Last week we revealed how Dannii, 38, was poised to return to X Factor
after
positive talks - despite being due to give birth during the series.

She is set to miss the audition and bootcamp stages as she'll be in
Australia
on maternity leave - but will return to judge the finalists. It means
she
would be working for around four months - at a rate of £175,000 a month.

Cheryl, 26, would be working the full six months, for £283,333 a month.
And
Louis is in line to get a total £1.6million - £600,000 more than last
year
but £100,000 less than Cheryl.

Simon gets £6million a year for judging and producing X Factor and
Britain's
Got Talent.

The other three judges' contracts are now being finalised, and Cheryl is
in
the last stages of negotiations, an ITV source revealed. It would be her
third series - and she'll be hoping for a third win after mentoring the
most
recent champs Joe McElderry and Alexandra Burke.

Our insider told us: "Signing Cheryl is our absolute priority.

"She's a huge part of the show and she doesn't need to do it now her
solo
singing career is so successful. She deserved to be rewarded and we
needed
to make sure she definitely re-signed. If we lost viewers it would cost
us a
lot of money."

How much other big names earn

Cheryl had said she might not return as she wanted to start a family
with her
football star husband Ashley.

But in February she announced their split over his cheating. A source
close to
her said: "Now Cheryl's single she's concentrating on her work life, and
The
X Factor will be a big part of that.

"She will take a pay increase but that's not why she does the show -
she's not
someone driven by money at all."

Unhappy

Rumours of rifts between Cheryl and Dannii have been rife since the
Girls
Aloud star replaced Sharon Osbourne in 2008. Dannii could still walk if
she
is unhappy with her deal.

A source close to her said: "It's no secret Cheryl and Dannii are not
close.
And things will only get more strained with such a big difference in
pay.

"Bosses want her back, she wants to come back - but it's not a done
deal.
She'll need to be happy with the financial offer on the table."

If Dannii does say no, guest judges like Spice Girl Mel B - who will be
tried
out during the audition stages - could replace her permanently.

The insider said: "It's very likely Dannii will end up back on the show
but if
she doesn't, there'll be other options."

GOT a story? Email features@notw.co.uk or call 0207 782 1001

MY BOY: Sue and Ashley

The Cole-d shoulder

LOVE-split Cheryl has fallen out with her mother-in- law - who was her
closest
link to husband Ashley.

The singer cut contact with Sue Cole over rows that his family did not
control
his cheating behaviour.

A close source said: "Cheryl and Sue used to be very close but they
don't talk
any more.

"That's not good news for Ashley because Sue is his biggest cheerleader -
and
Cheryl used to listen very closely to what she said."